Hundreds of Welsh soldiers who returned from Afghanistan are struggling to cope – raising fears there could be more deaths like those of Welsh Guardsman Dan Collins who took his own life, a veteran HAS warned.

Former Welsh Guard Dai Graham made the stark warning as he prepares to set off on a £1m fundraising walk to help ex and serving Welsh soldiers deal with the mental and physical aftermath of war.

The Falklands veteran, one of the last men to leave the Sir Galahad when it was blown up, said the Welsh public and politicians don’t always support young soldiers sent to Afghanistan.

Falklands War veteran Dai Graham

This was highlighted, he said, when Lance Sergeant Dan Collins from Tiers Cross near Haverfordwest was found hanged in a West Wales quarry on New Year’s Day last year, after making previous suicide attempts.

The 29-year-old – whose case was featured on a Panorama investigation last month – recorded a heart-rending farewell message to his mother on his phone.

“Dan Collins was told to travel six hours for counselling at a centre in England,” said Mr Graham. “A guy in that situation doesn’t do that, he ends up in a ditch.

“There are hundreds of Dan Collinses out there. I worry that we will lose more.”

After meeting former and serving soldiers and their families also taking part in Walk on Wales he says a dedicated centre to help them – like the three in England – is needed in Wales.

Last year the Welsh Government set up a group to examine the need for a veterans’ residential facility in Wales and a report is being prepared for ministers, but Mr Graham said it is taking too long.

“We know of quite a few people going through a really rough time and who can’t integrate back into society. We have to do something.

“We wave them off as heroes but when they come back they seem a bit of an embarrassment.

“It’s important these guys know the Welsh people appreciate what they’ve done. A lot come back with feelings of guilt. They get negative comments from people that they should not have gone there in the first place. It alienates them.”

Organising the Walk on Wales hike along the 870-mile Wales Coast Path with fellow Falklands veteran Jan Koops, Mr Graham has met soldiers and their families affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and warns the issue is a “time bomb”.

“We have to look after them. A lot of the boys bring the war home with them,” he said.

Among them is Matthew Morgan, 23, former private in the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh who was posted to Afghanistan aged 19.

After his personnel carrier was blown up by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), he saw an Afghan policeman running to help them blown up he developed PTSD. Diagnosed by an army doctor early this year he was discharged in June and has since struggled to get help, find work or accommodation.

Not eligible for full housing benefit as he is under 25, he lives off £113 fortnightly benefits which must cover all bills, food and rent for emergency accommodation in Cardiff.

Matthew, who ran for Wales as a teenager, injured his back in the explosion and still sufferers panic attacks and anxiety, two years on.

Like many he says he was unwilling to seek help at first, fearing stigma.

Alison Elson, whose son Dane was killed in Afghanistan, said it was vital society and sufferers recognise PTSD.

Mrs Elson, who knew Dan Collins, as he was a close friend of Dane’s, says the 29-year-old soldier hid his anguish.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“He was such a lovely guy and seemed very much together and had a lot of experience in the army.”

Mrs Elson, from Pencoed near Bridgend, is walking the entire coast path for Walk on Wales to raise money to help those with PTSD.

“I can’t do anything to help Dane now but I want to do something to help people like Dan,” she explained.

“Those with PTSD are suffering as much as those who have lost limbs. Just because we can’t see their injuries doesn’t mean they’re not in pain.”

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “The Veterans Residential Facility and Welfare and Support Hubs Group has concluded its work and the report is in the process of being finalised for presentation to minister in the autumn term.”